A garment and method of manufacturing a garment

ABSTRACT

We provide a garment ( 100 ) for covering a portion of a patient&#39;s chest during a medical examination, the garment comprising a sheet of material forming: a neck portion ( 108 ) defining an aperture ( 110 ) for receiving a head of the patient, and a left covering part ( 104 ) depending from the neck portion ( 108 ), configured to cover a substantial portion of a left breast of the patient, and a right covering part ( 106 ) depending from the neck portion ( 108 ), configured to cover a substantial portion of a right breast of the patient, the left and right covering parts being separated at respective lower ends ( 138,140 ).

The present invention relates to garments for use by patients during medical consultations and radiological investigations, to preserve the modesty and dignity of the patients. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to garments for use by female patients to cover the majority of their chests. This will allow medical practitioners (or health professionals allied to medical practice) to be given unfettered access and views to be able to examine portions of their necks, shoulders, backs and chest, including the cardiac/heart and respiratory/lungs regions, without the chest area of the patient being unduly exposed.

The garment is designed firstly to preserve the dignity and modesty of patients preventing unnecessary embarrassment. Secondly its aim is to protect medical practitioners from ambiguous accusations and thirdly, to help protect organisations from potential litigation and to mitigate the cost of providing chaperones.

Garments for covering patients during medical procedures and consultations are well known. Medical gowns are commonly worn by patients in a hospital environment. Such gowns are typically made of cotton, or a mixture of cotton and polyester, and are washable and reusable. Gowns cover the body of a patient, providing sleeves for the arms of the patient, and an apron-like body to cover the abdomen and at least the upper legs of the patient. Such gowns typically cover the front of the patient, and are open or openable at the lower part of the back, thereby providing access to the lower portion of the back of the patient.

During a medical consultation or radiological investigation, a medical practitioner needs unobstructed views and access to the part of the patient's body being examined. This may involve removal of a patient's clothing. When a gown is worn, the patient may need to lift or roll back a portion of the gown so that the medical practitioner can examine a part of the body underneath the gown. When removing or rolling back part of the gown, the patient may inadvertently expose parts of their body other than those for which examination is intended, which may cause embarrassment and/or discomfort to the patient.

Where a garment is intended for use only during an examination, and is not required for use during a surgical procedure or for a prolonged period in hospital, there is no need for the garment to be particularly durable. On the other hand, for garments to be made available widely for use during examinations, the garments must be both hygienic and non-allergenic as well as being economical to manufacture, supply and easily disposable/recyclable.

In addition to potential embarrassment and discomfort caused to a patient when being examined by a medical practitioner, there is also a risk that a medical practitioner may be open to ambiguous accusations when a patient is undressed. While the intentions and actions of the medical practitioner may be perfectly legitimate, it is possible that the perception of those actions by a patient may differ, particularly in the stressful environment of an examination.

The present invention seeks to alleviate one or more problems associated with known garments.

According to an aspect of the invention, we provide a garment for covering a portion of a patient's chest during a medical or radiological examination, the garment comprising a sheet of material forming:

-   -   a neck portion defining an aperture for receiving a head of the         patient,     -   a left covering part depending from the neck portion, configured         to cover a substantial portion of a left breast of the patient,         and     -   a right covering part depending from the neck portion,         configured to cover a substantial portion of a right breast of         the patient,     -   the left and right covering parts being separated at respective         lower ends.

According to another aspect of the invention, we provide a method of manufacturing a garment for covering a portion of a patient's chest during a medical or radiological examination, the garment being of the type comprising a sheet of material forming:

-   -   a neck portion,     -   a left covering part depending from the neck portion, configured         to cover a substantial portion of a left breast of the patient,         and     -   a right covering part depending from the neck portion,         configured to cover a substantial portion of a right breast of         the patient;     -   the method comprising cutting each of:     -   an outline of the garment from the sheet of material;     -   an aperture for receiving a head of the patient within the neck         portion; and     -   a slit between the left and right covering parts so as to         separate the left and right covering parts at their respective         lower ends.

Further features of these aspects of the invention are set out in the appended claim set.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures, of which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a patient wearing a garment of embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the patient and garment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a garment in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a garment of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a garment of yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a garment of still another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a garment of another embodiment of the invention.

With reference to the accompanying figures, embodiments of garments according to the invention are shown. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a patient wearing a garment 100 for covering a portion (and preferably the majority) of a patient's chest during a medical examination, and FIG. 3 provides a detailed illustration of that garment 100. The garment 100 comprises a sheet of material 102 forming a neck portion 108 defining an aperture 110 for receiving a head of the patient, and a pair of covering parts 104, 106 depending from the neck portion 108 (so as to descend from the neck portion 108). The pair of covering parts comprises a left covering part 104 configured to cover a substantial portion of a left breast of the patient, and a right covering part 106, configured to cover a substantial portion of a right breast of the patient. The left and right covering parts 104, 106 are separated at respective lower ends 138, 140. By a substantial portion of a breast, we mean that the breast/chest region is almost entirely covered from the front and sides, so that the breast/chest region is obscured from view. In embodiments, the entire breast/chest region may be obscured from view.

The neck portion 108 comprises a back part 118 adapted to lie around or against the back of the patient's neck. The neck portion further comprises left and right side parts 116 adapted to lie at either side of the patient's neck, and a front part 114 situated between the left and right side parts 116. The aperture 110 for receiving the head of the patient is defined between the front 114, back 118, left and right side parts 116 of the neck portion 108. The side parts 116 of the neck portion 108 have a width suitable to allow those parts 116 to lie flat across the shoulders of the patient. In this way, the material below the shoulders of the patient is also likely to lie flat on the patient's body. Preferably, the front-most part of aperture 110 of the neck portion 108 lies at or adjacent the sternum of the patient when worn so that the majority of the patient's chest region is covered.

The left and right covering parts 104, 106 are configured such that in use, the lower ends 138, 140 of the left and right covering parts 104, 106 may be drawn around the respective left and right sides of the body of the patient and secured to one another in front of the patient. In this way, a patient may put on a garment 100 by placing their head through the aperture 110, allowing the left and right covering parts 104, 106 to hang downwards from the neck portion 108 over the front of their chest. Each of the left covering part 104 and right covering part 106 has a respective upper portion with a first width w₁, and a lower portion having a second width w₂ that is greater than the first width. In other words, the covering parts 104, 106 increase in width from the neck portion 108 down. The outer edge 120 of the garment 100 curves outwardly at a position 122 below the shoulder (i.e. from the neckline). This outward curvature and increased width below the shoulder line provides a ‘wrap-around’ effect, so that each covering part 104, 106 covers not only the front of the patient's chest area, but also wraps around the sides of the patient's breasts, so as to shield them substantially from view.

In embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the neck portion is extensible so as to increase the perimeter of the aperture 110, 410. By increasing the perimeter of the aperture 110, 410, it is possible to increase the size of the aperture 110, 410 for inserting a head, but more importantly the height and length of the garment 400 may be adjusted so as to fit patients of different sizes.

In embodiments, at least one of a back part 118, 418, a left side part 116, 416 and a right side part 116, 416 of the neck portion is extensible. The extension may be provided using tightly crimped folds 134, 434 in the material, and the folds 134, 434 may be releasably secured in the first configuration (i.e. compact). As shown in FIG. 6, the side parts 416 may be extensible between a first configuration in which those parts are folded on themselves in a compact formation, and a second configuration in which those parts are unfolded in an extended formation. An extension in the length (marked L) of the aperture 410 may be obtained in this way, and a corresponding extension (of 2xL) to the perimeter of the aperture 410 may be obtained.

In embodiments, the garment is stored in its compact form and may then be unfolded by a patient in order to put on the garment (or to adjust the garment). The crimped folds are releasably secured in the first configuration having been compressed during the crimping process. A patient wishing to extend the neck of the garment 400 may then pull the crimped folds apart with a sufficient force to extend the folded portions, thus extending the neck portion. In other embodiments, separate securing members may be applied folded portions of the neck portion to hold the folds in a compact form, such as clips or staples, for example.

In embodiments and as shown, the left covering part 104 is joined to the right covering part 106 at their respective upper portions adjacent a front part 114 of the neck portion 108. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the front part 114 of the neck portion 108 is formed integrally with the upper portions of the left and right covering parts 104, 106. In such embodiments, the left and right covering parts 104, 106 are separated from their lower ends 138, 140 by a slit 112 that runs from the lower end of the garment 100 up to a point almost as high as the aperture 110. In embodiments, the slit 112 is formed as an inverse-V-shape between the left and right covering parts 104, 106. This shape provides curvature of the covering parts 104, 106 so that, under the weight of the material of each part, the material drapes over the breasts of the patient, so that the inner edge 124 of the slit 112 curves into the body of the patient, thus helping to obscure the patient's chest. In a similar way, the curved outer edge 120 also conforms to the shape of the patient's chest, under the weight of the material, so as to wrap around the side of the patient's body. In certain circumstances, a medical practitioner requires access to heart monitoring reference points—such as points located on the chest of the patient. Such reference points may be located above the neckline of the garment, adjacent the slit 112 area, or beneath the chest area of the patient. Garments according to the invention, due to the positioning of the slit 112, allow a stethoscope to be used with direct skin contact without having to move aside material otherwise covering the patient's breasts.

The height of the front neckline of the garment, as defined by the front part 114 of the neck portion 108, may be lowered or raised by the patient by adjusting the position of the back part 118 relative to the patient's head. The front part 114 of the neck portion should be adjusted to cover the upper part of the breasts of the patient. The neckline may be lowered in order to accommodate body shapes of different sizes. In embodiments in which crimped folds 134, 434 are provided, this may be achieved by releasing the folds 134 and extending the neckline 108 to its extended configuration.

In embodiments, since the covering portions 104, 106 conform to the chest shape of the patient and hang in front and to the sides of the patient, there is no need to secure or fasten the covering portions 104, 106. However, the patient may choose to gather up loose material of the covering parts 104, 106 and tie it or otherwise secured it at their front in a knot.

The edges 122 of the garment should surround the outer parts of the breasts of the patient, and can be adjusted downwards as required, by extending folded portions 134 of the material of the garment if needed, as previously explained.

In embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 4, the garment 200 includes a slit 212 that runs along the entire lengths of the left and right covering parts 204, 206 so as to separate the left covering part 204 from the right covering part 206 at the neck aperture. Therefore, rather than providing a V-shaped slot, the material of the garment provides a continuous scarf-like shape around the neck of the patient. To secure the left and right covering parts 204, 206 together, a connection part 226 is secured between the upper portions of the left and right covering parts 204, 206. If desired, a further connection part 228 may be provided joining the lower ends of the left and right covering parts 204, 206 together. In embodiments, one or both of the connection parts 226, 228 may be removable before or during use, to allow wider access for examination purposes. The connection parts 226, 228 may be formed of the same material as the rest of the garment 200, and may be attached by layering portions of the connection parts 226, 228 (preferably edge portions) against portions of the body of the garment and tightly crimping the layers against one another so as to form tight folds in the layers of material. In this way, the layers are releasably secured to one another, forming a connection which may be pulled apart if sufficient force is applied. Alternatively, the connection parts 226, 228 may be attached using adhesive or stitched securing parts.

In embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 5, the garment 300 may provide securing formations 330 adapted to be secured to one another either behind the back of or in front of the patient, while the left and right covering parts 304, 306 remain in place in front of the patient. Each of the left and right covering parts 304, 306 provide mechanisms 332 for attaching securing formations 330 to the material of the respective covering part 304, 306. The securing mechanisms 332 are preferably positioned at the outer edges 120 of the garment, at a position below the uppermost part 120 of the outer curvature of the edges, and preferably located in a region such that the securing mechanisms 332 are around or below a lowermost part of the chest area of a patient when the garment is worn.

Alternatively, the lower ends 338, 340 of the left and right covering parts 304, 306 may provide mechanisms 332 for attaching securing formations 330 to the material of the covering part 304, 306.

The mechanisms 332 may include stitching, an adhesive patch, or any other suitable means. The securing formations 330 may comprise string, or a hook and loop fastener, or any other suitable fastener. In embodiments, the securing formations 330 may be formed integrally with the material of the covering parts 304, 306, and may simply comprise a strip of material so as to provide a tie. The securing mechanism 332 may comprise tight crimping of layers of the material of the body of the garment, and the securing formations 330, as described above.

In embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 7, the garment 500 is shaped such that the outer edge 520 of the garment 500 curves outwardly at a position that is higher on the garment than the front-most edge 540 of the aperture 510. The outer edge 520 curves outwardly so as to provide a wide covering part that wraps around the sides of the body of the patient and the chest area of the patient. It should be understood that all of the other features described herein are applicable to garments of this shape.

In embodiments, the garment is formed of a single piece of material. A suitable material for forming the garment is any lightweight tear-resistant material. The garment may be made of any other suitable lightweight material, such as paper or non-woven material.

Preferably, the garment is formed of non-tear recyclable material being cheap to manufacture, light, easily transportable, hygienic and non-allergenic and, easy to fold flat for storage. Thus, the garment is ideal for single use.

In embodiments, the garment may be formed with pleated covering parts, so that a patient may expand those parts if required to obtain greater width. In this way, the left and right covering parts 104, 106 are formed with pleats, extensible width-wise from a first configuration in which each part 104, 106 is folded on itself in a compact formation, and a second configuration in the which the part is unfolded in an extended formation. In such embodiments, the covering parts may be releasably secured in their first configurations by tightly crimped folds, for example.

In embodiments, the garment is provided with an adhesive label 136. The label will be applied to a front part of the garment that is easily visible as the garment is taken from its packaging. In an examination, the medical practitioner will peel the label from the garment when it is handed to the patient, and the label can then be applied to the patient's notes to indicate that the garment was worn by the patient during the examination. This simple system allows medical practitioners to mark the patient's notes in a reliable and uniform manner and record the use of the garment for future reference, if required for medico-legal purposes.

In an embodiment, the height of the garment is in the region of 800-950 mm, and preferably 880 mm. Each covering portion has a lower portion with a width w₂ of 300-400 mm, and preferably 350 mm. The length of the slit formed between the two covering parts may be in the region of 400-500 mm and is preferably approximately 460 mm. The neck aperture preferably has a width of around 180 mm and a length in the range of 190-250 mm. In an embodiment in which folded portions 134, 434 of the neck portion are employed, preferably the length of the neck aperture is 190 mm in its compact form and 250 mm in its extended form. Of course, it is envisaged that the length extension between the compact and extended configurations may be any suitable length. For example, the extension may be in the range 10-100 mm, and preferably in the range 40-80 mm, and more preferably in the region of 60 mm. Where an extensible portion 134, 434 is provided on each side of the neck, the resulting increase in the perimeter of the aperture 110, 410 is in the range 20-200 mm, and preferably 80-160 mm, and more preferably around 120 mm, respectively.

The garments described herein are simple and cheap to manufacture. This is particularly true when the garments are cut from a single sheet of material. In general terms, the method of manufacturing a garment according to embodiments of the invention comprises cutting each of: an outline of the garment from the sheet of material, an aperture for receiving a head of the patient within the neck portion, and a slit between the left and right covering parts so as to separate the left and right covering parts at their respective lower ends. The cuts may be made in any order.

For example, the outline of the garment may be cut first, followed by the slit between the left and right covering parts, followed by the aperture within the neck portion. The slit 112 may be cut as an inverse-V-shape between the left and right covering parts 104, 106.

In embodiments, one or more parts of the neck portion are then folded (by crimping, for example). The method includes folding or crimping at least one of a back part 118, a left side part 116 and a right side part 116 of the neck portion 108 to a first configuration in which the part is folded on itself in a compact formation. The method may further include releasably securing the folds in the first configuration by tight crimping, as previously described.

In embodiments in which the slit 112 is cut between the covering portions the slit 112 may be cut along the entire lengths of the left and right covering parts 104, 106 so as to separate the left covering part 104 from the right covering part 106 at the neck aperture 110. Furthermore, a connection part may then be secured between the upper portions of the left and right covering parts 104, 106.

In embodiments, securing formations are attached to each of the ends of the left and right covering parts 104, 106.

In embodiments, pleats are folded into the left and right covering parts 104, 106, each fold line lying substantially lengthwise of the garment, and folding the pleats to a configuration in which each part is folded on itself in a compact formation. The pleats may then be releasably secured by crimping the layers of the pleats in their compact formation using tight crimping as previously described.

An adhesive label may be attached to the garment prior to its packing and storage. The label may bear an acknowledge that such a garment has been used by the patient (e.g. “Use of garment”).

In embodiments, the lower ends of the covering portions 138, 140 may be provided with folded/pleated sections, which may be releasably secured in a compact configuration as previously described. Such embodiments cater for tall patients, so that the garment is extensible in length, to provide additional length where required.

By providing a garment suitable for covering the majority of a patient's chest, and allowing the patient the choice of using such a garment, the comfort of the patient is greatly improved without sacrificing ease of access to the body parts to be examined. Furthermore, a medical practitioner may significantly reduce or even remove the risk of future accusations of inappropriate behaviour being made by a patient, where such garments have been made available and used. It will also aim to obviate the need for a chaperone during the medical examination or radiological investigation thereby reducing the cost associated with the use of a chaperone.

It is envisaged that the garments may be provided for use by patients of orthopaedic consultants, conducting back examinations, in situations where the patient is asked to uncover their upper torso. The garments may also be used by female patients undergoing mammograms and radiological investigations where the patient is required to undress. This enables the patient to preserve their modesty and dignity whilst still allowing the radiographer to accurately position the radiographic machine when taking x-rays for instance. This should reduce the need for repeat investigations if the patient is not accurately imaged at the first exposure. This should result in the patient being exposed to less ionising radiation and thereby reduce the cumulative lifetime radiation dose to the patient. This reduces the subsequent risk to the patient of developing a cancer related to their overall ionising radiation dose.

When a female patient undergoes any form of medical procedure on her back, or even lower abdomen, such a garment can be worn in addition to a traditional backless gown, if desired. Currently backless gowns, worn backless, provide little or no modesty to the patient in an “open” (public area i.e in the patient ward setting or in an Accident & Emergency) environment. With the garment in place, a backless gown can be worn in the conventional “jacket” manner providing modesty both to the front and back of the patient.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be understood that the features of the embodiments are readily combinable (unless stated otherwise) to produce a garment with any desired combination of the features described. For example, it is envisaged that garments may be provided having any combination of extensible neck portions, extensible covering parts (widthways and/or lengthways), securing parts, adhesive labels, and the like.

The garments described herein provide coverage for the majority of the chest of a patient in order to preserve the modesty and dignity of the patient, while allowing a substantially unimpeded view of majority of the patient's upper torso from behind. The garments are designed to fit around 90-95% of the population, allowing a single garment size to be provided in order to cater for most of the population. The adjustability of the neck portion, and covering parts, of embodiments of the invention, allow the garments to be adjusted to fit to the shapes of patients' bodies as required.

For ease of transport, storage and dispensing, a plurality of garments may be provided in a packet or box.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. 

1. A garment for covering a portion of a patient's chest during a medical or radiological examination, the garment comprising a sheet of material forming: a neck portion defining an aperture for receiving a head of the patient, a left covering part depending from the neck portion, configured to cover a substantial portion of a left breast of the patient, and a right covering part depending from the neck portion, configured to cover a substantial portion of a right breast of the patient, the left and right covering parts being separated at respective lower ends.
 2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the neck portion is extensible so as to increase the perimeter of the aperture.
 3. A garment according to claim 2, wherein at least one of a back part, a left side part and a right side part of the neck portion is extensible between a first configuration in which the part is folded on itself in a compact formation, and a second configuration in the which the part is unfolded in an extended formation.
 4. A garment according to claim 3, in which the folds are tightly crimped so as to be releasably secured in the first configuration.
 5. A garment according to claim 1, wherein each of the left covering part and right covering part has a respective upper portion with a first width, and a lower portion having a second width that is greater than the first width.
 6. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the left covering part is joined to the right covering part at their respective upper portions adjacent a front part of the neck portion.
 7. A garment according to claim 6, wherein the front part of the neck portion is formed integrally with the upper portions of the left and right covering parts.
 8. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the front part of the neck portion comprises a connection part secured between the upper portions of the left and right covering parts.
 9. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment defines a slit formed as an inverse-V-shape between its left and right covering parts.
 10. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the left and right covering parts are configured such that in use, the lower ends of the left and right covering parts may be drawn around the respective left and right sides of the body of the patient and secured to one another.
 11. A garment according to claim 10, wherein the lower ends of the left and right covering parts include securing formations adapted to be secured to one another to secure the ends of the left and right parts in front of the patient.
 12. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is formed of a single piece of material.
 13. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the left and right covering parts are formed with pleats, extensible width-wise from a first configuration in which each part is folded on itself in a compact formation, and a second configuration in the which the part is unfolded in an extended formation. 14-15. (canceled)
 16. A method of manufacturing a garment for covering a portion of a patient's chest during a medical or radiological examination, the garment being of the type comprising a sheet of material forming: a neck portion, a left covering part depending from the neck portion, configured to cover a substantial portion of a left breast of the patient, and a right covering part depending from the neck portion, configured to cover a substantial portion of a right breast of the patient; the method comprising cutting each of: an outline of the garment from the sheet of material; an aperture for receiving a head of the patient within the neck portion; and a slit between the left and right covering parts so as to separate the left and right covering parts at their respective lower ends.
 17. A method according to claim 16, further including: folding by tightly crimping at least one of a back part, a left side part and a right side part of the neck portion to a first configuration in which the part is folded on itself in a compact formation.
 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein tightly crimping the part includes providing sufficient compression to the folds so as to releasably secure the part in its first configuration.
 19. A method according to claim 16, wherein cutting the slit between the left and right covering parts includes cutting a slit along the entire lengths of the left and right covering parts so as to separate the left covering part from the right covering part at the neck aperture, and the method includes the step of securing a connection part between the upper portions of the left and right covering parts.
 20. A method according to claim 16, wherein cutting the slit between the left and right covering parts comprises cutting a slit formed as an inverse-V-shape between the left and right covering parts.
 21. A method according to claim 16, further including attaching securing formations to each of the ends of the left and right covering parts.
 22. A method according to claim 16, including forming pleats in the left and right covering parts, each fold line lying substantially lengthwise of the garment, and folding the pleats to a configuration in which each part is folded on itself in a compact formation. 23-28. (canceled) 